Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1887-10-27

anu tuiaollity, auu uHectlOn 1Or ner
husband and children, there was some
thing like twinge of envy entered my
breast; for / am an old bachelor, and
never before had I fully appreciated
the happiness of welded life as enjoyed
by two such trusting and loving hearts.
That night after supper as we sat on
the porch enjoying our cigars and the
cool breeze from the gulf, I said:
"Now Pres. for the story about the
magi who put you in possession of such
pretty and interesting wife and chill
dren, and such cozy. comfortable
home"
"Well," he commenced, "the last let
ter you received from me 1 was with
Cooper and Baily, wasn't II"
"Yes," said.
"Well, l quit them after one season,
and followed the fairs. had pretty
good success, for you see balloon is o
drawing card to country fairs and the
managers didn't mind paying me fancy
prices. Well, seven years ago last fall
l came to Jacksonville to make as
tensions during the fair. I was in
pretty bad fix financially, having just
recovered from three months spell of
fever in Mobile, which nearly left me
broke. Well, 1 was to make six as
tensions for $500. I got to Jackson
vile on Saturday, and made my first
ascension on Monday; it was also my
last. 1 had not fully recovered my
strength, and I should not have at
tempted a high ascension; but never
thought of that, and inflated my old
balloon until she was as tight as q
drum. She shot upward like rocket,
and strong wind caught her and sent
her southward in hurry. She began
to descend in about mile and half
from town, and I thought sure she
would come down right in thick
wood, but she missed that and came
down in tree in the backyard
of farm house. Well, when
I got in fifty feet of the tree
top l quickly unlocked the life lines
from my waist and prepared to catch
limb. You know I never use life lines,
but I was SO weak I could hardly set
on the bar that day and I thought it
best to use them. Well I succeeded
in catching hold of limb, but was SO
weak and exhausted that I could not
retain my grasp, so went tumbling
down through the tree like squirrel
that had been shot. I fell heavily on
my left side and broke my left leg just
above the ankle. A gentleman who
was standing in the rear door of his
house saw me coming down, and was
at my side the moment I struck the
ground. Finding that my leg was
broken, he ran to the house and rang
the farm bell, which soon brought some
hired mon from field, who carried me
into the house and deposited me on the
bed, after which one Of them mounted
horse aud started in hot haste after
a physician. The gentleman who had
first come to my assistance, and to
whom the farm belonged, said to me:
MY friend, you have met with
pretty serious accident, and
I am truly sorry for you.
The wagon which followed you from
town to carry you and your balloon
back, is at the gate; but you need
not go unless you wish, for you are
more than welcome to remain here
until you recover"
thanked him as we'll as my suffering
would allow, and informed him that I
certainly preferred remaining where I
was, if it would not be too great an in,
convenience to him and his family.
"No inconvenience at ALL" he cheer
fully replied; just make yourself easy
on that point. All the woman folks
are in tcwn attending the fair. When
they return, we will try and make you
more comfortable"
The doctor came and set my broken
limb, after which I got along nicely,
though it was three months before /
could again walk without my crutch.
Well, after I had fully recovered and
was able to work, l told the old gentle
man that if he would give me employ
ment on his farm that I would quit
the balloon business and turn
granger. He offered me $15 month
and my board, which gladly accepted,
and l worked for him twelve months.
| tell you it was terrible hard on me
working for SIS month, when I had
always made more than that day."
"Well, what in creation did you do it
for?" I said, thinking that he had
acted very foolishly.
We'll, you see," he replied, "the
old gentleman had beautiful daugh-
ter who, by her kindness and attention
to me while was crippled, and her
dutiful, affectionate consideration for
her parents completely won my heart.
l soon discovered that l occupied first
place in her affection; but knew that
her parents would never consent to her
| luaIIJ JluS Dul1ooulSt, So l. luTnou
farmer in order to win her. I intended,
rs soon as we were married, to return
tony old profession, but her father
gave me this place, and everything per-
tanning to it rs soon as We were mar
ried, SO I concluded to remain here as
long as live. would not give one
day Of this quiet, peaceful, contented
life for year of such as led before
was married.
"You are right" exclaimed; "and
you should thank God that you met
with that accident on your last serial
trip"
II do. Jut, I do" he earnestly ex-
claimed.
"Yes, but he does not appreciate it
as much us do, said Mrs. Preston, as
she arose and entered the house to put
the children to bed.